I was very excited to start selling PC remotes at their launch, and loved how easy the programming was. The price points being lower than URC also helped get those really low bids.

After I installed a few I kept getting callbacks for remotes locking up. The dip switch on the back kept me from making a few truckrolls but there were some that just flat-out died.

+1 taking over a PC remote project and having to start from the beginning. Sure I charged more to start over, but the customer experience was tainted.

+1 for learning IR commands. Having done URC for years this was not a welcome learning curve.

IR database seemed really great compared to URC, but on certain cable boxes it seemed I could never prevent double-presses no matter how I tweaks the repeat count, etc. Very frustrating.

Overall, I only install them now if requested. Ended up going back to URC for basic RF control, and stick to Control 4 for my more advanced deployments.

We stopped this by using the RTI IR learner. This process eliminates all of the above. If you're doing PC's, I'd highly recommend getting the learner

I'll add my vote for the RTI learner.

It's not that URC is that hard it's that I'm lazy ;)

I recently obtained a Pro24.r and charging station from an associate who was disposing of his deceased mothers’ belongings. Given the situation, he had no record of the origin or programming history of the device. Although the device charges and seems to work flawlessly, I quickly discovered that programming it to my personal devices is an impossibility since the programming software is not available to the general public(!?). I am retired and still work in the IT world repairing and programming IT devices, but I absolutely cannot get my hands on a copy of the Pro Control Studio software – of ANY vintage! I live in the sixth largest city in the US, and there is not a single vendor or distributor in the city that will program a Pro24 for the walk-in customer. Does anyone know how I can get my hands on a copy of Pro Control Studio (short of registering as a Pro dealer)? I have an extensive high-end audio system with multiple pre-amps, amps, tape decks and recording gear, and I can see that the Pro24 would have potential in my application – IF I could get the software to make it a reality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You're not going to find the software online anywhere. It is very tightly controlled. Your best bet is to try and get setup on the Pro Control website, where you can access the software. The current software is called "Pro Control Studio 1.7.0" and it's 102 MB in size.

Problem is, you'll have to list who your distributor is and they will verify with said distributor that you are in fact a dealer. Since you are not a dealer, you will not be granted access to the programming software.

Sorry, that is just how Pro Control and some other vendors protect the dealers livelihoods.

Personally, I wouldn't trust an older Pro Control. It might last forever or it might last two hours. To get it programmed, you will need to find a dealer in your area to do it and if they are smart they would only work with new equipment. You'd be looking at $320 + programming. Another $320 if you need a processor as well.

Recycle it and get a Harmony setup

Well, if he can't get access then he's screwed.
More e-waste for our planet.
Just what we need :(

++

I've done a ton of PC over the years, it's solid. You're going to need to find a small dealer in your big city, google is your friend - Home Theater near me - TV install near me -etc... I would program a remote for a customer if I had a slow week going, T and M is T and M.

Did you email PC for a potential dealer?

[Link: procontrol.com]

Harmony is no longer being manufactured, but you can still find them around. Mostly refurbs, but it looks like Amazon has some new.

If you want to be able to tinker with your remote, Harmony is the way to go.